Moody's ranks New York among top 10 contenders for Amazon's HQ2

New York is a top-10 contender for Amazon’s much-sought-after second headquarters but faces stiff competition, according to a just-released analysis from Moody’s Analytics.

In a report authored by its famed economist Mark Zandi, Moody's ranked several metropolitan areas on five broad criteria: business environment, human capital, cost, quality of life and transportation. Those categories mirror Amazon's requirement "for a metro area with more than 1 million people, and a stable and business-friendly environment with the potential to attract and retain strong talent." Per Moody's, the New York area ranks sixth, with Austin, Texas, at number one.

Moody's top 10

Austin

Atlanta

Philadelphia

Rochester

Pittsburgh

New York

Miami

Portland

Boston

Salt Lake City

Source: Moody's Analytics

New York’s strongest suit is human capital, where it earned the highest score of the top 10 cities. It ranks last on cost, although Boston is nearly as bad on that score.

Some caveats. The study looked at metro areas so it isn’t clear what New York City’s individual rank would be. One also has to wonder how an economically depressed city like Rochester, N.Y. could make the the list. I’d bet the farm Amazon isn’t interested in that city on the lake. Interestingly, Denver didn't make Moody’s top 10, although a New York Times data analysis ranked it as the best city for HQ2.

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